Michael Avenatti
Michael John Avenatti (born February 16, 1971) is an American former attorney and convicted felon, currently incarcerated in federal prison at FCI Terminal Island. He is best known for his legal representation of adult film actress Stormy Daniels in lawsuits against then U.S. President Donald Trump, and his multiple convictions for attempting to extort sports apparel company Nike and defrauding and embezzling settlement money from a series of other clients. Avenatti has appeared extensively on television and in print as a legal and political commentator, and as a representative for prominent clients.
Michael Avenatti | |
|---|---|
Avenatti in 2018 | |
| Born | Michael John Avenatti February 16, 1971 Sacramento, California, U.S. |
| Education | Saint Louis University University of Pennsylvania (BA) George Washington University (JD) |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouses | Christine Carlin (divorced)Lisa Storie
(m. 2011; div. 2018) |
| Children | 3 |
| Criminal information | |
| Status | Incarcerated |
| Conviction(s) |
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| Criminal penalty | 19 years in prison |
In March 2019, Avenatti was indicted in California and New York on various criminal counts including extortion, tax evasion, fraud, and embezzlement. On February 14, 2020, Avenatti was convicted of extorting Nike in New York court, and on July 8, 2021, he was sentenced to 30 months in prison. Additionally, on another date, he received another 30 months (technically 4 years with half concurrent) for a financial crime against Stormy Daniels. He has been imprisoned since February 7, 2022. On December 5, 2022, he was sentenced to an additional 14 years for stealing millions from clients, bringing his total sentence to 19 years without the possibility of parole.